Hi everyone! Welcome back to another chapter of Jaunetlemen's Club! Wow, we're really flying through this. Feels like no time at all as passed since I put out chapter one. We've only got a few more to go. Can't believe time is flying so fast. This one's a real treat. In fact, I might say it's my favorite chapter I wrote for this fic. 3/4 of the characters that get some focus here are very dear to me, and I found myself surprised by just how fun writing everyone's dynamics in this chapter could be. Especially the one in the second scene. But hey, I won't distract you guys for long, enjoy!
Chapter 4 - Clockwork Soldiers, Cops 'n Robbers
As he gazed up at the void's beautiful blue sky, Fate couldn't help but feel old.
The days that followed Weiss' triumph over Cinder Fall and the end to his thousand year long curse had felt like a dream, an ethereal sensation so wonderful that Fate had spent every moment terrified that he'd wake up and find himself back within the sickeningly warm embrace of his bed back in Ansel.
But as time went by, the gravity of his situation had finally begun to set in. It was all over. It was like Weiss had said.
He was free.
Then why do I still feel so empty? Fate mused, his brows drawing down at the familiar thought, a mirthless smile spreading across his face. He sat on the edge of the manor's roof, his feet dangling over the endless void as he reflected on his newfound freedom. Despite the loosening of time's chains on his soul, he felt ancient, directionless, and most of all exhausted.
His life's work was complete, so what did that make of him?
Thankfully, he didn't have to dwell on it for long as the quiet scrape of a boot on concrete provided a welcome distraction. The sound was barely audible, but years of dying to ambushes had honed his senses like a blade on steel. His neck craned as he turned to face the newcomer.
"I figured you'd hear me coming." Jaune Ashari chuckled as he walked across the stone surface towards him. Fate's eyes roved over the older man, zeroing in on the six pack of beer he held clenched in his right hand. "Thought you wouldn't mind some company."
Fate felt a lopsided grin spread across his face as he gestured to the alcohol Ashari was carrying. "Beer and conversation? Sorry old man, but I don't swing that way." The older time traveler quirked an eyebrow.
"Who're you calling old man? I've got reason to believe you're a lot older." Fate's eyes narrowed, demanding an explanation. Fate knew Ashari shared some similarities to him from his time reading Headmaster's notes during the Royale. He was aware Ashari had traveled through time, just as he had. Ashari must've seen the change in his demeanor by the way he raised his hands in surrender. Despite the gesture, it didn't go unnoticed how Ashari didn't seem threatened whatsoever. An amused expression spread over the soldier's face.
"Guess Headmaster was right; you really are just like me." Ashari said as he sat down on the manor's edge and set the case of beer between them. It was Fate's turn to raise an eyebrow.
"He send you up after me?" he inquired. Ashari gave a slow nod.
"Someone had to. Not a big fan of parties?" Ashari asked. Fate shook his head.
"There was never much to celebrate in my world, and we did, there was a lot more alcohol. Not to mention a few scantily clad ladies." Ashari grimaced and glanced away.
"You won't find too many of those here, sorry to disappoint." The soldier chuckled. Fate held a hand over his heart dramatically.
"How will I ever recover?" He drawled, voice dripping with sarcasm. Ashari barked out a laugh and reached into the six pack, pulling out a bottle. In a sharp motion, he bashed the neck of the glass against the edge of the roof at an angle, sending the cap spiraling into the void that surrounded them. He held it out to Fate, who took it and brought the bottle to his lips, savoring the bitter taste.
"I didn't just come up here because of Headmaster, you know." Ashari started, grabbing another beer for himself. "I figured it was about time we talked, considering what we have in common."
"I couldn't agree more," Fate nodded intently, his tone serious. "We've both got something none of the other iterations have…" He finished, making sure to draw out the suspense as Ashari leaned closer.
"We're both style icons with these atlesian coats, aren't we? No one else comes close." He followed up quickly as Ashari groaned, a hand coming up to hold his face.
"You know that isn't what I was referring to." he groaned as he ran a hand through his hair. "Headmaster said you were difficult, but this is ridiculous."
"I'm aware I have quite an effect on people." Fate smirked as Ashari rolled his eyes.
"Time travel," Ashari said gruffly, "I'm talking about time travel. It's not every day you get to meet someone else who's been through it."
He's right, Fate thought as he took a sip of his beer. Loathe as he was to admit it, there was a small part of him that was curious about Ashari's experience ever since he'd seen Headmaster's notes on him. He supposed he could indulge the older man.
"What do you want to know? I'm an open book."
"I doubt that," Ashari scoffed, a small smile playing on his face. "What caused yours?"
Fate gave a half shrug. "No idea. To be honest, I can't even remember the first loop, much less what started them."
Ashari let out a quiet hum as he went to take a swig from his bottle. After a brief moment of silence Fate let out a small sigh as his curiosity got the better of him.
"Alright fine, I'll bite. How'd it happen?"
Ashari's cobalt eyes softened as the older man stared out into the void. "I made a deal with Salem. At the end of it all I'd lost everything, and everyone I'd ever cared about." The grip on his bottle tightened as he continued. "I made a deal with the devil for a chance to do it all again."
Fate pondered Ashari's words, finding himself agreeing with his decision. After all, how could he not agree with the choice he'd constantly been making for over a thousand years? Risking it all for even the slightest chance of saving his friends was a move straight out of Fate's playbook.
"No judgment here." He mused as he finished his beer, his hand lazily reaching out to grab another. "The more I hear about this Salem person, the happier I am that I never had to deal with her. Between the White Fang, Roman, and Cinder, I had my hands full."
"How long?" Ashari asked, "Were you stuck in your loops, I mean."
Fate's hand came to stroke his chin as he racked his brain. "I'm not exactly sure, time gets kind of fuzzy after the first hundred years. My best guess is somewhere in the upper hundreds, but I won't rule out a thousand."
The only indication that Ashari found his statement surprising was the slightest widening of his eyes. Fate's brow drew down. Despite his best efforts, he just couldn't seem to get a read on him. Ashari's pensive look melted away, chuckling as he finished his own beer. "And you had the nerve to call me old, you're ancient." He scoffed.
"How about you?" Fate asked a little too quickly, eager to steer the conversation away from his age. He was having enough of a crisis already. Ashari caught it, a grimace spreading across his face. Fate continued. "How many lifetimes did it take you? Between Salem and the rest of her posse, I can't imagine it was a walk in the park."
Ashari let out an awkward cough as he glanced to the side. Fate's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"What?"
The older man let out a curt hum before taking a rather drawn-out sip of his beer as Fate's fingers drummed on his own bottle impatiently.
"It didn't take you very long, did it?" He guessed, already knowing he wasn't liking where the conversation was going.
"Nope." Ashari replied with a guilty smile, confirming his suspicions.
"Then how many–" Fate ventured before Ashari cut him off.
"One." he said sheepishly, a hand coming up to rub the back of his head.
Fate's eye twitched.
One.
ONE…
Before he knew it, Fate's hands found themselves balling into fists, hair clenched tightly within them as he let out a shuddering breath. "You've got to be kidding me." He murmured; eyes still scrunched shut. Whether it was out of frustration, pain, or envy, he couldn't quite tell. Remembering he wasn't alone, Fate made sure to steady himself. Years of living in dangerous company had built him an incredible poker face. He'd be damned if he was dropping it now.
"You alright?" He heard Ashari ask, bringing him back to reality. The older man looked strangely concerned, Fate let out a light scoff.
"Why wouldn't I be? I still made it out in the end." he drawled.
Ashari looked like he didn't quite believe him, but let it slide. "To be honest, I thought you would've been worse. I certainly would have been."
Fate laughed. "If you think that was bad, you should've seen me after Headmaster told me Barista saved his world in one go. A coffee shop owner stopped Cinder's schemes on his first try, where it took me lifetimes. That one shattered the ol' ego for sure."
Ashari smiled back. "Hey, that was a bitter pill to swallow for me too." Fate gave him a cocky glance to inform him he wasn't off the hook quite yet.
"But you know, there's a lot to be thankful for about living so many lifetimes. I got to get it on with almost every beautiful woman Remnant had to offer. I had a fast and wild relationship with Blake, I fell in love with Ruby," He continued as Ashari began to lean in, clearly amused. Fate's eyes glinted mischievously. "I even got it on with Winter Schnee herself. That one was special."
The soldier stilled, and Fate suddenly found himself desperately attempting to contain his mirth as the older man's stoic facade finally cracked before his eyes. He watched the bottle clenched tightly in Ashari's right hand shatter into a million little glass fragments. The soldier let out a groan and rubbed a hand over his face, settling on pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Anyone ever tell you you're an asshole?" He asked gruffly, exhaustion clear in his voice.
The younger man guffawed as he took another sip from his beer. "All the time." Ashari rolled his eyes and Fate cleared his throat.
"How'd you do it? How'd you escape?"
Ashari thought it over for a few moments, before giving Fate a shrug. "I had a good group of people around me. They kept me happy, they challenged my beliefs, and they even helped me finish the job after I'd gotten complacent. We united the world's strongest and slayed Salem together." The older man's face spread into a melancholy grin. "Even after I told them about my deal with her, they stuck by me." Fate's eyebrows rose, incredulous.
"They believed you? About time travel?"
Ashari gave him a light nod. "Yeah, they did."
"How? Nobody ever believed me." Fate said quietly, a tinge of bitterness creeping into his voice. "I tried everything. I gave them information on Cinder's plans months in advance. White Fang warehouse whereabouts, I even tried to cancel the festival myself once." His fists clenched. "It only led to more suffering, and after a luxury stay in Ironwood's five-star torture facility, I figured I'd throw in the towel. Besides, it saved everyone else a lot of pain, so why not keep it to myself? It took me decades before I managed to convince a single person." Ashari grimaced, a conflicted look in his eyes but Fate couldn't stop himself. "Which is why I want to know why they believed you in one loop?"
"Damn it, James." Ashari groaned under his breath before turning to face him. "I'm sorry you went through that, Fate. Really, I am. I know what it's like to keep that secret. It weighed on me for years. Every decision, every mistake I made I held against myself. It was impossible to sustain." He said as he paused to take a drink, his eyes appearing dull in the pale moonlight. "But to answer your question, I didn't exactly tell someone, they figured it out on their own. Raven used the Relic of Knowledge and dragged it out of Jinn." Fate inclined his head. So that's how they worked. He'd heard Ozpin and the others mention the relics during the tournament. Wouldn't that have been helpful? He lamented. A magical mcguffin that could've solved his biggest problem.
Fate snorted. "Too bad I never got my hands on one of those."
Ashari grinned at him. "Maybe it's for the best. Knight says you're quite the dirty fighter. I heard you've got all sorts of weapons you're good with. I'd shudder to imagine what you'd do with a tool of the Brother Gods."
Fate gave a dramatic bow and a roll of his eyes. "My reputation precedes me. I gave his highness a firsthand demonstration when I went up against the Jaune from the tournament. Back at my Beacon I even had my own specific set of rules.'' At Ashari's quizzical look, he began to rattle off his professor's decrees. "No forfeiting, no calling time-out and then attacking people, no calling my teammates to fight in my place, no running into spectators and using them as human shields, and no bringing weaponry into the ring like a taser and using it on my opponent's balls." He'd gotten so used to Glynda demanding he recite them that they'd long since been committed to memory.
When he finished, he glanced at the man to his side to gauge his reaction. Amusement swam in Ashari's cobalt irises. "Did Qrow Branwen teach you those tactics by any chance?"
Fate found himself unsurprised. "Got it in one. You pick up some stuff from the old man too?" Ashari gave him a nod back.
"He was a hell of a teacher, and a great friend in my timeline. I don't remember him ever using people as human shields, though. Under that gruff exterior's a heart of gold. Plenty of ego too." The specialist said fondly as Fate watched his hand drift to his side, fingers hovering over a hilt that wasn't there. It reminded him of his own little ticks when he was lost in his memories.
"That's because he didn't." Fate snorted. "I spent a lot of time learning under Torchwick, too."
"And suddenly, everything makes sense." Ashari chuckled. "You could give Tyrian a run for his money with that skill set."
Fate gave him a blank look and the older man coughed. "Ah, he's one of Salem's council. He shows up after the fall."
"My world never got that far." Fate said morosely as he grabbed a third beer from the pack.
"Maybe it can now." Ashari suggested.
There it was again. That unspoken topic that had lived rent free in his mind since the moment he'd woken up in the infirmary. The future. The rest of his life. The hands of time were going to move on, and they'd be dragging him along with them. Ashari's voice broke through his thoughts.
"How did you escape?" He asked, "My time ended when I killed Salem. Turns out I was only around because of her magic. When she passed, I did too."
"I almost didn't. I had barely any training and my aura had stopped working." Fate began, stopping when he saw the confused look on Ashari's face. "Best guess is my own soul didn't recognize me anymore, and it wasn't exactly keen on protecting a stranger. During the fall of Beacon, I got a blade in the throat from Adam Taurus." His eyes drifted shut as he recalled the feeling of drowning in his own blood. "That was the end of it, or it should've been anyway. I even woke up back in my bed like all my other repeats."
"Then how–"
"Weiss." Fate breathed, even just the mention of her name filling his chest with warmth. "She figured it out. She beat fate itself where I couldn't, just like she'd promised me." Ashari gave a light punch to his shoulder.
"Doesn't surprise me at all. Those Schnee sisters have a way of saving the day, don't they?" Fate smirked back.
"I'll drink to that." Ashari raised his bottle, and Fate clinked his own against it.
"To the Schnees!" The two crowed in unison, downing what was left of their drinks.
"How'd you end up marrying Winter, anyway?" Fate asked, curiosity getting the better of him. Truth be told, he'd been wondering since he first read that little detail in Headmaster's battle notes. It had taken Weiss' death for Winter to be in a state where she thought any version of Jaune Arc was attractive. Ashari only shrugged.
"It just kind of happened. I'd known her for a while. She was my student at first. I'd just moved to Atlas, and she couldn't have been older than fourteen–" Ashari didn't make it any further than that as Fate spluttered, spewing the bitter drink over the side of the mansion and fixing him with a bewildered stare. Ashari paused, before flushing at the insinuation.
"That came out wrong." he growled in embarrassment as he buried his face in his hands. "It wasn't like that, I swear. We got together when she was much older."
"Suuuure, you did." Fate teased. Ashari's critical gaze fell on him.
"And how many thousands of years older than Weiss are you?"
Fate winced. "Touché." The two glared at each other for a moment before they descended into laughter. It faded as quickly as it came, silence descending over the rooftop. Ashari gave him a pointed glance.
"So, out with it."
Fate spared him a cautious look. "Out with what?"
"Despite what Raven might tell you, I'm not that dense."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Fate denied coolly as he searched for a new topic. One look at Ashari told him that wasn't happening.
"I think you do. There's been something weighing on you since I got here, isn't there?" The older man said gruffly.
Fate couldn't decide whether to curse under his breath or laugh out loud. He wasn't at all surprised the old man had picked up on his distress. He was far more perceptive than the average huntsman. That being said, what a stupid question. Of course there was something troubling him. How could there not be? He was broken, and didn't know how to put himself back together. Or if he even could. But if there was one thing Fate didn't do, it was counseling. He went to rebuke Ashari, to distract or mock him, anything to change the subject from his own misery, but found he couldn't. If there was even a slight chance Ashari had experienced what he was feeling, he had to know.
"What is it like?" Fate asked, slicing through the peace. For the first time in a very long time, he felt a bit anxious. Ashari cocked an eyebrow.
"What is what like?"
Fate clenched his teeth, hands balling into fists at his sides as he felt his nails bite into his palms. "What is it like to be free? You did it. You won. You fulfilled your purpose and saved the day. What are you supposed to do now?" His shoulders slouched as he tore his eyes away from the older time traveler, the real question lingering in the space between them.
What am I supposed to do now?
"I know how you're feeling." Ashari began, gazing up into the void, "I'd spent so much time in the other world. I made real connections, I completed the mission, hell, I even started a family. Then just like that, it was all gone." He said sadly, punctuating the last sentence with a weak snap of his fingers. "When I was brought back to my original timeline, I felt empty. Our friends were dead, and Salem had been defeated. I'd be lying if I said I didn't consider ending myself right then and there." Ashari mused, a guilty look in his eyes. "But I didn't stay like that for long. People needed me. My world was in shambles."
"Mine is doing just fine now. They don't need me anymore." Fate interrupted; eyes fixed firmly on the void below. Ashari gave him a critical glance.
"Do you think if I asked Weiss that she'd agree?" Fate glanced away guiltily. Of course she wouldn't. Hell, if Blake or Yang knew the thoughts he'd been having they'd be heartbroken. "I didn't think so." Ashari said. "Even if your world is fine now, if there's one thing I've learned, it's that the future isn't set in stone. Almost every other iteration here has had a Salem. What makes you think yours doesn't?"
Fate's mind raced. As much as he wanted to deny it, Ashari wasn't wrong. If even Barista had a Salem in his timeline, there was a high chance he did too. She had henchmen, schemes, and wouldn't stop until the kingdoms were in ruin. Hell, Cinder could've just been a pawn in the game. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked back at Ashari.
"Now you're getting it," The older man began. "I'm not trying to stress you out or wind you up though. What I'm trying to say here is that I realized my purpose was only over if I let it be over. My world has a lot of work left to be done, but thankfully, I'm not alone. Whether it was team STRQ or Team JNPR, I always had people beside me to help me get through things, and I'm guessing you do too."
Fate gave him a nod as he pondered his words. It was true that his time raging against the fall of Beacon was done. The book had finally closed on that chapter. But that didn't mean he could just lay down his sword. He'd been fighting for so long he'd almost forgotten what he'd been fighting for this whole time. A future with the people he loved. Hell, he was the teenage father of two teenage daughters! He had a fiancé, a family. He had to protect them, now more than ever. Fate was only able to dwell on the older man's words for a few more seconds before Ashari spoke again. "You're on team JNPR right? How are they? I only got to see them briefly during the tournament."
Fate gave him a guilty smile. "Sorry, but they haven't been my team in a few lifetimes. They're fine though. I'll have you know I'm the proud leader of Team Jazzberry." Affection bubbled within Fate's chest as his mind drifted to his bizarre team. Ashari fixed him with a deadpan look.
"Really? Jazzberry? Are they even trying anymore?"
"I don't envy them," Fate snickered, "Jaune, Weiss, Yang, and Blake aren't exactly easy names to work with."
"You love them, don't you?" Ashari cut in, "I can see it in your eyes."
Fate gave him a quizzical glance. "I wouldn't be so blasé about admitting to staring into young men's eyes if I were you." He quipped before he bent double as Ashari buried his elbow in his ribs. "Fair enough." the younger traveler coughed as Ashari reached for another beer. Fate helped himself to his fourth.
"To answer your question, yeah, I do. They're incredible." He said warmly. Ashari gave him a knowing nod.
"Are you happy, Fate?" Ashari asked, not quite meeting his eyes.
Fate looked to the void above as he thought it over. Well, there was no one trying to kill him. Everyone was alive, and JWBY were making it through Beacon, despite his best efforts to flunk out initially. He and Weiss were engaged too. There wasn't much to complain about. The realization surprised him.
"Yeah. I guess I am. I feel…peaceful."
"That's good," Ashari said, "You've earned some peace and quiet. Take some time for yourself, Fate. Seriously. Spend your days with your team. Go on dates with Weiss. Finish out your four years at Beacon. That being said," He began, his eyes like chips of cobalt, "Don't ever stagnate. Complacency is the enemy. A good friend showed me that. Keep training, keep planning, and keep protecting the ones you love." Fate gave him a resolute nod.
"Now there's a promise I might actually be able to keep." He replied. Ashari seemed satisfied with his response, and leaned back, bracing himself with his hands.
"Speaking of friends," Fate ventured, a lopsided smirk spreading across his face. "If you're married to Winter, why isn't she here? I only saw Yang's mom with you."
It was Ashari's turn to wince. "It's complicated. Raven…well, she's always been there for me. In more ways than one."
Fate wriggled his eyebrows, picking up on the insinuation. "Is that so? Color me impressed, even I haven't managed that one. Way more interesting than another roll in the hay with Blake for sure."
"You're one to talk about unlikely romances." Ashari countered. "Last I checked you're the only one here who actually ended up with Weiss. I can't really remember it, but I'm pretty sure I had a big crush on her back then. How'd it go?"
Fate's expression dropped. "She's a tyrannical dictator hellbent on turning me into the perfect student. She wakes me up at the crack of dawn to train, and she even force feeds me if I happen to skip a meal. If she can't make me do something, she'll just get Yang and Blake to do it for her."
Ashari blinked. It was obvious he wasn't expecting that. "Well, clearly she isn't all bad if she saved you from the loops."
"I never said any of those things were bad." Fate murmured. "She's kind, strong, caring, and loyal until the end. Even if she can be a little intense sometimes. I wouldn't be here without her."
"She sounds a bit like Raven, minus the whole "kind" thing." Ashari mused. "I can only recall the Weiss from my second lifetime. It's hard to imagine someone so polite and respectful could be tyrannical–"
The sound of a door flying open and slamming into the wall sent both of their heads swiveling towards the roof's entrance.
"Jaune Arc! Where have you been!?" Weiss Schnee hissed icily as Fate gave Ashari a look that screamed I told you so. The woman in question was clad in a lavish white dress, dotted with sky blue gems. She was absolutely radiant in the pale moonlight. Thankfully, Fate was only smitten for a few moments before he remembered how to speak.
"H-Hi Weiss, I was just getting some fresh air." The fall maiden was not amused.
"I don't want to hear it! What were you thinking, leaving me with those other women down there? They're incorrigible! Do you have any idea how mortifying it was to be the only person at dinner who didn't have their partner with them?"
Fate pointed at the man next to him. "In my defense he isn't with his partner either." Ashari raised his hands in surrender, clearly wanting no part in this. Weiss' brows drew down, and Fate went to quickly follow up. "But I couldn't leave the most beautiful woman here waiting, so I was just making my way downstairs to find you."
Despite her best efforts, and obviously seeing through his weak bluff, Weiss blushed. "T-that's right! And as the most beautiful woman here I demand you escort me back to the party for cake." Fate pulled her into his arms for an embrace and held her flush against him.
"Sounds like I don't have a choice, dear." He grinned as he pressed his lips against her cheek in a chaste kiss. He offered his hand to her. "Shall we?" Weiss gave him a dazzling smile, her azure eyes shining with affection.
"That sounds wonderful." As the two began to walk back towards the door, Fate paused, almost forgetting the third person on the roof.
"One second." he said to Weiss as he jogged back towards Ashari, who was cleaning up the remnants of their drinking session. His eyes met the older man's, and he offered his hand. Ashari gave him a toothy grin and shook it.
"Thanks," Fate started, "For this. The things you said…I needed to hear them."
"I'm happy I could give you some peace of mind." Ashari nodded before looking him dead in the eye. "Remember what I told you."
"I promised, didn't I?" Fate retorted with a grin of his own. Ashari clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"Take care, Fate. I'll see you downstairs." He turned away from the older man, catching up with Weiss and slipping her hand in his. She looked at him strangely.
"Who was that, Jaune?" He gave her fingers a slight squeeze.
"A friend."
/
Null felt uneasy.
It wasn't hard to guess why. He hadn't been around this many people in years. Well, that wasn't exactly right, he'd been around plenty during the tournament. But that was different, and try as he might, he just couldn't shake the sick feeling in his gut as he listened to the mass of party guests that surrounded him. He took in the scene as he scanned the area.
Leviathan was in the pool, arms folded by his face as he tried to brush off a Jaune in a long black overcoat who seemed to be toting a notepad. To the right there was an iteration he didn't recognize in blue and white robes meditating under a bizarre looking tree. There were just too many bodies.
Crowds of people were a bad thing. Crowds of people meant the possibility of being spotted, and when being spotted meant ambushes, gunfights, and the threat of being kidnapped and experimented on, you quickly learned how to travel unseen. I guess Chivalric left me scarred in more ways than I thought, he mused as he pondered his newfound social anxiety. The party certainly wasn't making it easier. The second the first Jaune recognized him, he'd been tackled and restrained. I don't exactly blame them, he snorted as he gazed over the railing into the void. He would have done the exact same thing if there was someone as dangerous as him potentially on the loose.
He'd be lying if he said their terrified expressions didn't sting though, a reminder of his cursed semblance. To them, he was a monster. Something as wonderfully normal as enjoying a fun party was outside of his reach, apparently. No, for a murderer like him, there needed to be cuffs, precautions, and guards. Speaking of which, a hum from behind him reminded him that he wasn't alone. How he hated her. Yang Xiao Long. Well, she wasn't his Yang, but Vesper, an officer assigned by the damned gods to make sure he didn't get any funny ideas. He knew she meant well, but being overseen by a woman who wore the face of one of his mother's killers didn't exactly do anything to calm his restless nerves.
She hasn't done anything to you, none of them have, he reminded himself as he took a deep breath. The blonde wasn't even the one to kill his mother, no, that fell on the machine masquerading as a girl. He'd gotten his revenge then.
"Heck of a view, huh?" Vesper noted from behind him. He grunted his agreement. The view was beautiful, all things considered. It certainly beat Vale's underbelly, or the boring white snow of Atlas for sure.
"I've never seen anything like it. I really hope we end up remembering tonight, because I don't think anything's ever topping this. Well, that might not be completely true. Seeing the Achieve-men shirtless would probably give me the same reaction." She offered with a slight chuckle.
Null rolled his eyes, leveling her a tired glare, trying as hard as he could to make it known he wanted to be left alone.
Vesper put up her hands in surrender. "Hey, I'm just trying to lighten the mood, frowny. Believe me, I don't want to be watching over you either. If it was up to me, I'd be back in the room with the booze and music."
"Then why don't you just go?" Null murmured unhelpfully. "It's pretty obvious I'm not in a particularly murderous mood." Despite his efforts, Vesper was undeterred as she blew a strand of hair out of her face.
"I believe you. They told me you were aggressive and dangerous, but all I've seen all night is a total buzzkill." she teased.
Null only raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yup, you should've seen them. They were practically shitting themselves when Ashari told 'em they'd be watching over you." Vesper winked at him. "But to tell you the truth, the hardest thing about being assigned to you was tracking down those stupid plastic utensils. You had me running all over the manor like a crazy person shouting about plastic forks."
It was a stupid joke. Hell, it wasn't even intended to be one, rather just a statement at the absurdity of it all. But to his surprise, Null actually laughed. It was a light sound, a chuckle that for once wasn't born from spite or bitterness. Maybe he really had gone crazy.
"Ha!" Vesper said with a victorious grin. "Soldier owes me his dessert." She flushed when Null fixed her with a confused stare. "We were taking bets on if I could get you to crack that edgy exterior of yours."
Edgy exterior? Null thought as he wrinkled his nose. Was that what she thought he was? A dramatic teenager? Null rolled his eyes. She really was annoying.
"I made it pretty clear I want to be left alone. You don't press me, and I'll keep to myself. Wouldn't want the monster to scare the guests, would you?" He said gruffly, directing his attention back to the horizon. Vesper scoffed as she checked her nails, seemingly unimpressed.
"You're not all that monstrous. Trust me bright eyes, I've seen people that have done a lot worse than you, believe me."
"Like who?" He inquired, trying to ignore her stupid attempt at a nickname.
"How does a mentally ill necrophiliac dead set on starting the zombie apocalypse sound?"
Null blinked.
Okay, he certainly wasn't expecting that. Maybe she did have him beat. Alarm bells began to ring as he realized he was starting to feel his guard beginning to slip. Vesper was clearly trying to get something out of him. Why else would she still be talking to him? There were a lot of things he was willing to do, but opening up to a stranger about his life after everything that had happened was not one of them, let alone a woman whose dimensional twin had contributed to his mother's death. He made the decision to cut things off, make her wish she'd never even spoken to him in the first place.
"You wouldn't be so eager to speak with me if you knew what I've done." He said, hoping she wouldn't take the hint and just drop the subject.
"Try me, drama queen." She said with a quirked eyebrow. He let out a sigh. Sorry Vesper.
"I put two bullets in your sister, for one." He said, dealing a death blow to the conversation that left him bracing himself for whatever hotheaded punishment she'd dish out. On some level, he knew he deserved it. Nothing came. After a few seconds, Null chanced a look behind him. Vesper was pale, eyes a horrific crimson as she took shallow breaths. But to his surprise, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When they opened again, they were purple. He looked on in confusion as she stammered.
"Fuck I… gods, you can't just drop that on somebody!" Vesper exclaimed, her pretty skin a sickly white. "Did…did she?"
"Die? No." he said solemnly as he relieved the exact moment he'd crossed the line from selfless avenger to spiteful monster. "I hear she made a full recovery." Vesper let out a ragged sigh of relief, before collapsing into the spot next to him.
"You're a prick, you know that?" She huffed angrily as Null gaped at her.
"You're not going to kill me?"
Yang rolled her eyes and looked at him like he was an idiot. "No, I'm not gonna kill you."
"Why?" He asked truthfully.
Vesper gazed out at the beautiful skyline, a complicated look on her face as she rubbed her metallic arm. "It's not because of your charming personality, trust me. If you were talking to the Yang from a few years ago and told her some shit like that, you'd be a pile of red chunks on the lawn." She gritted out. "It's because I know your type. I've worked with them for years now. You only said that to rile me up, right?"
Null found himself nodding at her. Vesper leaned back against the bench. "Then it's fine. She lived, and she's not even my real sister. If I went and killed every person who'd done a bad thing to the public or my friends, I'd have quit my job a long time ago."
"Who are you?" Null inquired honestly. Vesper confused him. Every Yang Xiao Long he'd met was a hotheaded self-righteous asshole who only cared about herself and her little sister. Vesper…she was different. "Who are you really? Don't think I haven't noticed you're the only person here who doesn't look at me like I've killed their dog." Vesper snorted at the observation.
"You're looking at Yang Xiao Long, the badass boss of team VSPR." She boasted before she scratched her cheek awkwardly. "But uh, you can keep calling me Vesper. I tried to go with Yang but there's like four of us here. As for the second part of your question, I work with people like you. Killers, thieves, mobsters. They make up my team." she said plainly.
Null hummed. That made sense. She was used to being around killers like him. Made sense she treated him the way she did. That being said, the last part of her statement wasn't quite correct.
"You haven't worked with someone like me. I'm not just a killer. It's bigger than that. I'm a weapon." He insisted, on some level, surprised with himself that he was willing to express his own self loathing to Vesper. It's not like you'll ever see her again, a traitorous voice murmured from within his mind. General Ironwood had recommended therapy many times, but he never went for it. Too much pain. People had asked about his life during the tournament too, but that was a different environment entirely, any weakness they could've found in his story could've been exploited. This however, was an opportunity at a vent session with no strings attached. Maybe he needed it.
"As long as I live, I'm a threat to the world. Unfortunately, I'm a bit too useful for anyone to just kill me. But don't get it twisted. Someone like me deserves to die for what I've done. I accepted that a long time ago. I'll never apologize for the things I did, but that doesn't mean I can't regret what went down." He said, a strange stinging behind his eyes as he let the words spill from his mouth. It felt cathartic to verbalize the feelings that'd been swirling around in his subconscious for months. Satisfying even.
The sound of a sharp breath interrupted his thoughts as he looked over at Vesper. It was clear from her expression that she didn't agree with him. Her face was scrunched up as she wheeled on him.
"Just because you did some terrible things doesn't mean you deserve to die, or that you're irredeemable or worthless." She snapped. "You made some stupid choices and a lot of people got hurt. I get that. But from what I heard it didn't sound like you really had a choice did you?" She asked. Null inclined his head. It certainly didn't feel like he'd had a choice when he was sleeping in abandoned buildings fighting for scraps. He could only stare at Vesper as she continued her tirade.
"Does that mean I'm saying you should live and let live? Hell no. Damn right you deserve to be held accountable for your crap, don't get me wrong. But it sounds like you've already paid your dues. Most of 'em at least." She clenched her metal fist, causing a slight clinking sound to fill the air.
"Criminals get a bad rep. Hell, one of the best friends I ever had was a criminal. He was an asshole, and if he and his crew got their way, it would've been the end of Vale. Guy was facing a life sentence. If I hadn't known him like I did, I'd have said he deserved whatever he had coming to him and then some." She said matter of factly. Null let out a hum. He'd done a lot, but at least he hadn't tried to overthrow the kingdom. Vesper's scowl dropped as her face took on a complicated expression.
"But he turned it around, and when the chips were down, he was selfless. He made the ultimate sacrifice to save the kingdom. He was a fucking hero. The terrorist I once thought was an irredeemable bastard had more balls than most huntsmen I know. So don't you ever tell me someone like him, someone like you, deserves to die for the mistakes they made. You got it?!"
Null stared at her, an unfamiliar feeling bubbling up inside him. His chest heaved as he tore his eyes away from her piercing lilac ones. His throat closed up as he tried to scoff at her words. What was wrong with him? She was being naive. Idealistic. He was beyond redemption. Then why did her words make him feel all wrong? He was feeling things he shouldn't be. He felt pain. Melancholy. Why? Why was he still listening to her? Why did he care about what she thought of him? The realization slammed into his brain like a hammer on metal. At that moment she reminded him of someone.
Hazel.
His hotheaded sister. She'd react the exact same way if he said something like that about himself. Wouldn't she? His eyes burned as he turned away, his thoughts drifting to his sisters. His mother. What would they say to him if they heard what he'd said? Even when he was at his worst, they believed in him. They forgave him. Was…was it possible to forgive himself?
Nope. That was ridiculous. He could never be forgiven. He forced those stupid thoughts from his head before they got out of hand. He let out a shuddering breath as he leaned back, meeting Vesper's eyes.
"Got it, I won't bring it up again."
Vesper gave him a playful shove. "Good. If I had to deal with your sulking for another hour I think I'd lose my mind."
"In that case maybe I should keep going. I wouldn't mind seeing that." Vesper laughed at his pathetic attempt at a joke.
"My goodness, maybe there is a human in there." She said, feigning shock.
Null hummed as he let his eyes drift shut. They stayed like that for a while, making small talk as they looked out at the gods' beautiful display. Despite her haunting appearance, and her role as his "protector", he found he didn't despise Vesper. Sitting out here wasn't so bad. He'd almost forgotten what these moments were like. The gentle breeze flowing through his hair. The cool air on his skin.. At this moment, he was oddly at peace.
"Um, Null?" a voice called out from behind him. His eyes snapped open.
And there it went.
He craned his neck to look at the source of the sound and his brows drew down.
"Didn't I tell you at dinner to leave me the fuck alone?" He growled as he came face to face with Healer. Vesper stood up from the bench as quick as she'd sat, looking the medic up and down.
"The hell'd you sneak up on us for?" She said, as if suddenly remembering her role as party security. Healer held up his hands in front of him.
"I just wanted to talk." He said calmly, his dull eyes containing a faint sparkle of hope. "I need to know something."
Null raised an eyebrow.
"I want to know why you won't even give me the time of day." Healer said carefully. "You made it pretty clear at the table that you despise me. I want to know why."
Vesper gave him a pointed look, as if to say Do you want me to stop him? Null took a deep breath, shaking his head before turning to the Jaune he despised the most.
"There's not enough time in a day." He sneered as he waved him off. Healer rolled his eyes.
"It's not like you're going anywhere." He said, gesturing at Vesper. "Maybe it's my fault for trying to reason with you. I just thought there'd be someone in this universe that would understand what I went through" Null took a ragged breath. This was the second time he was hearing Healer's pathetic life story. He'd explained it to the rest of the iterations when he'd first gotten there, and Null had seethed from the sidelines. He fought desperately to keep his composure. He may have made a small connection with Vesper, but he knew she'd step in if things went loud. But every word Healer spoke was like a spike being driven into his skull. Despite his better judgment, he let him continue.
"I thought maybe you'd get it. The pain of having a semblance as a curse, and all the suffering powers like ours could bring." Healer finished, and Null finally lost it.
"What the hell do you know about being cursed!" He yelled, his voice straining as Healer flinched back. "You were given a gift from the gods. You raise the dead. You're practically a damn angel, and you have the nerve to complain?" He snarled, sweeping his arms out to the side.
Healer's tone was bitter and exhausted. "That "gift" ruined any chance I ever had of having a normal life. From the moment I unlocked it my family and I suffered. We were bombarded by careless, selfish people who demanded I heal their loved ones. I was practically forced to slave away in the hospitals bringing people back. So many stupid preventable deaths that drained my will to live. Their expectations crushed me, and they still harassed my family and stalked me across the world. " He said, his face going pale as he seemed to recall a hideous memory. "Rioters even trampled my mother in my own home. I had to bring her back myself." he said morosely.
Null looked at him, frozen. Then he threw his head back and laughed. It was an ugly sound. He was faintly aware that conversation around the pool area had died down, guests intent on listening.
"That's it? That's what you're upset about? That you suffered a few repercussions from your semblance?" Null spat, gawking at Healer. "You know what mine got me? My father was murdered right in front of my eyes. My mother and sisters were taken away and experimented on like they were animals. We were tortured and beaten daily. From the moment I escaped I was fighting for scraps while you were partying with the Atlesian upper class." He mocked as he continued to spiral, his voice getting higher and higher as the memories came flooding back.
"Then just when I got her to safety, mom was torn to shreds, and guess what? I couldn't bring her back!" He hissed, voice dripping with venom. Healer was red in the face. Vesper had gone pale. Guess she didn't know as much as she let on, Null mused as he focused on the Jaune in front of him. He took a few deep breaths to steady himself, his voice lowering.
"So listen up. You want to know why I hate you? It's because you had the perfect life. The life I would trade anything to have, and you threw it all away. You faked your own death, ran away from your old life, and eloped to get the happy ever after you didn't deserve. And the part that boils my blood is it doesn't even seem like you feel bad about it." Null seethed as he stared Healer down.
Healer's eyes were fixed on the tile below them. "I don't," He confessed woodenly, "I'm sorry, but I don't. You don't understand. I couldn't be there anymore. I just couldn't. I was going to die if I kept it up." Null saw red. He surged forward and shoved Healer to the ground, he barely managed to push him before Vesper's arms wrapped around his body like steel cables in a tight bearhug as she hauled him back.
"I know you're angry. Hell, I've got half a mind to let you kick his ass, but you have to calm down." He thrashed for a few moments before he eventually sagged in her grasp as Healer briskly left, refusing to meet his eyes.
"-rry." He mumbled.
"What's that?" Vesper asked as she set him back on the ground.
"Sorry." He said clearly. "I lost my cool. Thanks…for not smashing my face into another table." he followed up begrudgingly.
Vesper shrugged. "You're welcome. And hey, at least you didn't turn on "murder mode" this time. I'd call it an improvement."
"You really are weird." Null drawled. "Not really like the bitch from my world."
Vesper barked out a laugh. "I can tell you hate her. Me. Ugh, your Yang. That icy glare of yours when I showed up was all the indication I needed that you weren't exactly on the Yang train." The two continued to hang around the bench, sharing stories and small talk until Vesper craned her neck behind them and looked around, scanning the perimeter. She leaned in close.
"Hey, you…want to get a drink? You've only had a cup of water since we've been here." Vesper whispered with a lopsided smile. Null blinked.
"Pretty sure you shouldn't be offering me that." He said nonchalantly. Vesper beamed a mischievous smirk.
"Yeah well, I'm pretty sure you can tell I'm not exactly someone who loves to follow rules. Too restrictive and all that." Null let out a quiet hum as he contemplated her offer.
"Yes, I uh, I think I'd like that."
Vesper grinned. "Then what are we waiting for, drama queen? You seem like a strawberry sunrise guy, right? No? Ah screw it, today, you are. Besides, I hear they're serving cake soon and you're not gonna be the reason I miss it."
As she dragged him away from the terrace's edge, Null couldn't help but think that he wouldn't want to miss it either.
And maybe, just maybe, he'd think about what she'd said.
FINALLY LIVING UP TO THAT HURT/COMFORT TAG! Man, I loved writing this chapter, so I guess I'll start from the top. Fate and Ashari are my favorite Jaunes to write together. Hell, I wrote a 10k oneshot about the two, which you can find on my profile. The title of this chapter is a callback to it, Clockwork soldiers. This is Fate's biggest scene in this fic, and while I'm sure a lot of people would really enjoy some angsty Fate/Null/other sad boy Jaune interactions, I felt like we haven't really gotten to explore Fate post time loops. It's such an interesting concept, someone who's been fighting for so long that now they have no idea what their purpose is. Thankfully, Fate's got an older bro who just so happens to have gone through a similar revelation.
Before anyone says anything, the canon I'm using for Fate's memories here is most from NTF. In Arc Royale he talks about having interactions with Watts, Tyrian, Raven, etc. I like sticking with the source material, and it might be a surprise to some newer readers, but when Not this time Fate came out, those characters didn't exist. Ashari is as fun to write as ever, and don't worry y'all, he gets front and center treatment next chapter. Maybe we even get to see his plus one? It has been such a damn honor to try my hand at writing for these two, and I hope you enjoyed their conversation as much as I did.
Now for the dynamic that came WAY out of left field for me. Null and Vesper (Captain Dragon Yang). Holy shit I did not know just how much fun I would have writing these two when I first had the idea for their scene. It works so well. Now, in the couer community, people either love or hate Null. There's very little in between. I for one love our lil edgy boy, and after bullying him last chapter, I wanted to do something nice for him. Null getting closure was something I really wanted in Arc Royale, and while we didn't get anything bit, I thought him at least having someone who treats him like a person could be really sweet, and who better than someone who works with criminals for a living?
And you might be able to tell, but I don't particularly care for Raise Jaune, and while y'all may think I'm just shit talking him for the fun of it, I really do think this is how Null would treat him. It was really fun when Raise first came out to wonder what it would be like if the two "cursed" Jaunes would interact. Turns out, they hate each other!
Overall, I'm really happy with how this chapter turned out. These two scenes were easily my favorite to write (With next chapter being a contender too.). I'm just happy I got to give our favorite sad boys some good ol comfort. But that's all from me for this week, see you next weekend for our last big chapter before the finale/epilogue!
As promised here's the pretty short index for today.
Fate - Jaune from Not This Time, Fate
Ashari - Jaune Ashari from Relic of the Future
Null - Null
Leviathan chilling at the pool - Jaune from Unseen Hunt
Jaune with black overcoat questioning Leviathan - Arc Corp Jaune (Sorry guys! This is probably the majority of his screentime)
Jaune meditating under tree - Xia Jaune
Vesper - Captain Dragon
Healer - Raise
Next time on Jaunetlemen's Club: Shut Up and Dance With Me